diff --git a/kallithea/model/user.py b/kallithea/model/user.py
--- a/kallithea/model/user.py
+++ b/kallithea/model/user.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ from tg.i18n import ugettext as _
 
 from sqlalchemy.exc import DatabaseError
 
-from kallithea.lib.utils2 import safe_str, generate_api_key, get_current_authuser
+from kallithea.lib.utils2 import safe_unicode, generate_api_key, get_current_authuser
 from kallithea.lib.caching_query import FromCache
 from kallithea.model.db import Permission, User, UserToPerm, \
     UserEmailMap, UserIpMap
@@ -145,9 +145,9 @@ class UserModel(object):
             new_user.admin = admin
             new_user.email = email
             new_user.active = active
-            new_user.extern_name = safe_str(extern_name) \
+            new_user.extern_name = safe_unicode(extern_name) \
                 if extern_name else None
-            new_user.extern_type = safe_str(extern_type) \
+            new_user.extern_type = safe_unicode(extern_type) \
                 if extern_type else None
             new_user.name = firstname
             new_user.lastname = lastname